Curtain-box for vehicles



(No Model.)

H. P. WELLS & 0. MORRILL.

CURTAIN BOX 7 FOR VEHICLES.

Patented Apr; 5, 1898.

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. UNITE 1 STATES PATENT FET E.

HARLAN P. WELLS AND OSGOOD MOISRILL, OF AMESBURY, MASSACHUSETTS.

CU RTAlN-BdX' FOR VEHICLES.

' SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 601,744, dated April 5, 1898.

Application filed May 28,1397. Serial No. ($8,654. (No model.)

To all whom it concern:

Be it known that we, HARLAN P. WELLs. and OSGOOD MoRRILL, citizens of the United able others skilled in the art to which it apper-' tains to make and use the same, reference bein g had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

The object of our invention is to so combine a curtain-box with a seat of a vehicle, first, that the movements of said boxfrom and to its normal position will not. be interfered with by the valance or fall of the seat; second, that the said box may be lowered and advanced by practically one and the same movement from its normal position under. the seat to a position admitting of easy access to the interior of the box; third, that the said box may be adjusted to its proper position when the contents thereof exceed its apparent normal capacity; fourth, that the said box may be easily removed to be cleaned or to be out of the'way while the vehicle is being washed, and fifth, that articles contained within the said box will not be injured, torn, or abraded by coming in contact with the seat or by being caught between the seat and box while the latter is in process of movement to and from its normal position.

With these several ends in view our invention consists, imprimis, in the combination, with a vehicle and seat, of a curtain-box supported by means which permit the box, by substantially a single movement, to be lowered from-its position under the seatand advanced partly to one side of the same.

Further, it consists in the combinatiomwith a vehicle and seat, of a curtain-box adapted to be lowered and advanced from under the seat and raised and returned to its normal position, said box being provided with a yieldingor flexible bottom.

Finally, it consists in certain details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter specified.

Figure 1 illustrates a road-wagon embody- 'to the interior.

ing our invention, one side of the vehicle being broken away to show the normal location of the curtain-box beneath the seat, the means for supporting the box, and in dotted lines the position of the said box and supporting means when the former is lowered and advanced to a position admitting of easy access Fig. 2 is a sectional view in elevation taken on line 00 a: of Fig. 1, also showin gin full'and dotted lines, respectively, the raised and lowered positions of the box.

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of the box itself detached from the wagon and turned bot tom side upward. Fig. 4 is a fragmentary viewof a vehicle in elevation, illustrating a modified way of physically embodying our in- Vention.

Referring to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, J J are the sides of a road-wagon constructed in the usual two bearings B B, having holes or slots in the ends and within which is loosely seated a rod A, bent, as shown, and provided at its ends with journals a a. These journals are adapt ed to fit suitable bearings in the sides J J of the wagon, as shown in Fig. 2.

D is a spring-catch secured to the seat G and which engages a bar E on the box, said elements constituting a locking device for holding the box in normal position under the seat.

The method of manipulating the box is obvious. The spring-catch being raised, the box, guided by the hand, swings by gravity downwardly and outwardly, the rod A rotating in the bearings B B and turning on the journals (1 a. The position of the box shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 is such that access to the same is easy and convenient. It will be noted that the valance or fall will not be in the Way to retard or interfere with itsinovements. A reverse movement of the box rearwardly and upwardly returns it to its normal position out of the way under the seat. Should the contents of the box be greater than its apparent capacity and project above the top edges thereof, a slight pressure when the said contents come in contact with the bottom G of the seat will cause the flexible bottom to yield and protrude beyond the lower edges of the box below, so that the catch D can engage the bar E.

In Fig. 4 is shown a modified form of support for the curtain-box. J is one side of the vehicle; G, the seat; F, the box, and D E the fastening device. To the side J is secured an oblique plate I, having a slot K to receive the guide-piece H, which latter is attached to a corner of the box. Both sides of the vehicle are of course provided with plates I, and each end of the box has a guide-piece H. It is clear that the box in this modified constructionis adapted to move downwardly and outwardly in substantially the manner described in the form illustrated in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

While we have shown but two pictured examples of the physical embodiment of our invention and described the same in detail, We

do not wish it understood by reason of the absence of other pictured examples that those shown are exhaustive of our invention. We set forth the two examples only as the best modes we have so far devised for embodying our improvements. Moreover, equivalents may be substituted for any of the elements shown when desirable, and likewise many changes in construction introduced which will fall within the scope of our claims. For instance, a rigid bottom for the box or one made of cloth or leather may be used. The rod A may be journaled to the seat-bottom G and not in the sides J J. Arms may be substituted for the rod A and pivoted to the seat, floor, or sides. A different fastening device, such as a lock, may replace that shown, and in Fig. 4 the slot in the oblique plate I may changeits direction, and element H be of a different shape. Finally, the curtain-box itself may be adapted to move downwardly and outwardly from under the seat toward the rear of the vehicle in lieu of moving toward the front.

What we claim is 1. The combination with a vehicle body and seat carrying one member of a locking device, of a curtain-box normally supported under the seat, having at its front end the other member of a locking device; and cooperating means attached respectively to the curtain-box and wagon-body for permitting the box to be concurrently lowered and advanced from under the seat, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination with a vehicle body and seat carrying one member, of a locking device, of a curtainbox having a yielding bottom and normally supported under the seat, the said seat having at its front end the other member of a locking device; and cooperating means attached respectively to the curtainbox and wagon-body for permitting the box to be concurrently lowered and advanced from under the seat, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a vehicle body and seat carrying one member of a locking device, of a curtain-box normally supported under the seat, having at its front end the other member of a locking device; and pivotal 00- operating means attached respectively to the curtain-box and wagon-body for permitting the box to be concurrently lowered and advanced from under the seat; in substance as set forth.

4. The combination with a vehicle of a seat; and a curtain-box supported under the seat by means of a red A and slotted bearings B, B; in substance as set forth.

In testimony whereof we affix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

I-IARLAN P. WELLS. OSGOOD MORRILL. \Vitnesses:

GEORGE II. BRIGGS, DELL W. DOLBIER. 

